SMOKING GUEST

[James3012]

We have a camera outside that we disclose in the listing. This morning we saw a woman walk out the door with a cigarette in her mouth. There is a strict no smoking policy anywhere on the property. This is our very first booking and we are so dissappointed. Ugghhhh. What should we do. The cleaner is going over soon to see if the cabin smells of cigarette smoke. 

[Sarah977]

@James3012  A lit cigarette or just a cigarette? It's always possible she was going off the property to smoke. 

[Debra300]

@James3012,

The smell of lingering cigarette smoke isn't an true indication that the person smoked on premise.  I once had a guest that was a heavy smoker that had a three week stay.  While he was out, I was allowed to go in to the apartment to replenish some items, and the bedroom had a very heavy smoke smell due his clothing and luggage.  When he checked out, it still took four days to air out the space.

[Sarah977]

@Debra300  I'm a smoker and I know this is true, although my house doesn't smell like smoke as I smoke outside and it's in the tropics with doors and windows always open.

You should see the lengths I go to when I visit my daughter, who detests the smell, so I don't bring it in on my clothing, hair, etc. 

I keep a scarf or toque outside, and when I go out for a smoke I tuck all my hair up inside it. Then I walk down the block and stand so the wind is blowing the smoke away from me. When I come back to the house, I remove the head covering,  use the hand that didn't hold the cigarette to open the door, and go right into the bathroom by the front door to wash my hands and face and brush my teeth.

I would do this at anyone's home who was bothered by the smell, but I sure can't imagine any Airbnb guests going through that song and dance.

[Anonymous]

@James3012   That's a really cool listing you have there! For the sake of reference, I'm just going to quote the text of your House Rules:

We do not rent to smokers or vapers. In addition to not smoking anywhere on the property we cannot host you if you smoke at all in your non-vacation or vacation life. If there is any trace of cigarette smell at all you will be fined the cost of fumigating the cabin and whatever costs we have to insure to rid the cabin of the smoke smell. We are extremely serious about this policy and ask that you please find another place to rent if you or anyone in your party smokes. Thank you.

OK, honestly this doesn't seem realistic to me. You are 100% entitled to your rules about how people conduct themselves on the grounds of your property, but that jurisdiction does not extend to what people consume elsewhere. Airbnb doesn't consider smokers to be a protected class as far as discrimination is concerned, but they aren't going to back you up if you try to fine guests for smoking outside. All that would happen is that your listing will get shredded in the review and you'll come out empty-handed. And if you're taking groups as large as 10 (which seems like a squeeze for a cabin with just one bathroom), it's inevitable that there are going to be smokers or vapers in the mix, perhaps even unbeknownst to the group member who books.  

As for this group, you're not in any position to punish a guest for having a cigarette in her mouth outdoors.  Your listing will be dead on arrival if the first review comes from guests who feel antagonized. But you can remind your guests that your whole property (including outdoor areas) is non-smoking and helpfully direct them to the nearest place that smoking is permitted.